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This Week in History: September 24th - September 30th

Here we go – it’s our weekly trip in our time machine of sorts to take our head out of current news and into the events of old. What happened this week years, decades and centuries ago? History tells us plenty about where we came from – and who we are today. Seatbelts everyone – here we go!

September 24th, 1954 – The Tonight Show Premieres Though its most enduring host, Johnny Carson, wouldn’t helm the popular variety show until 1962, Steve Allen had the first reins as host from its very first episode, debuting 64 years ago today. It's still going strong under Jimmy Fallon.Famous Birthday: Jim Henson (Muppet Master), 1936 - 1990

September 25th, 1939 – World War I ‘Officially’ Ends? Yes – believe it or not, World War I hadn’t officially ended as of the late 30s – when the second Great War was underway – as Andorra had been left off the Versailles Peace Treaty! Germany and Andorra amended the mistake on this day.Famous Birthday: Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta Jones (Acting Couple), 74 and 49 respectively

September 26th, 1969 – The Beatles Release ‘Abbey Road’ While there may not be many of the Beatles’ albums which aren’t considered pop classics, Abbey Road is certainly one of the most iconic, if not purely for its famous cover photo, which is of course recreated by fans over on the famous zebra crossing each and every day!Famous Birthday: Serena Williams (Tennis Star), 37

September 27th, 1825 – The First Public Steam Train Debuts George Stephenson’s famous Locomotion No 1 maid its maiden voyage in carrying passengers on this day back in 1825 – and people have been commuting here, there and everywhere ever since.Famous Birthday: Avril Lavigne (Singer), 34

September 28th, 1887 – The Yellow River Flood Disaster Considered one of the most fatal natural disasters of all time, up to two million people were staggeringly killed in the Huang He or Yellow River floods 131 years ago in China.Famous Birthday: Confucius (Philosopher), 551 BC – 479 BC

September 29th, 1916 – The World’s First Billionaire While we may have a billionaire in the White House right now, it all dates back to one man – oil magnate John D Rockefeller, who became the first-ever billionaire, and the world’s richest man, in 1916.Famous Birthday: Jerry Lee Lewis (Musician and ‘Rock & Roll’s First Wild Man’), 83